W. R. Grace Co.-conn.

Randall E Johnson

Charles C Zende

Stephen L Gray

Howard D Conner

Thomas M Bagwell, Jr

Devices for packaging selected items. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for continuously packaging selected items in a controlled atmosphere enclosure. Further, the present invention relates to devices for continuously sealing containers containing selected items in a controlled atmosphere.

Modified atmosphere packaging device

Apparatus for atmosphere-modifying and sealing individual trays includes a film disposing roller disposed closely adjacent the top of the tray to define a nip region and an elongated gas injection nozzle spanning the nip region for injecting gas through the nip region between the film and the tray. A split conveyor belt advances the trays past the film disposing roller to a sealing unit utilizing band sealers for the longitudinal tray edges and reciprocal 'hot bar' sealer for the leading and trailing tray edges. The gas injection nozzle injects the gas substantially perpendicular to the advancing direction, down and into the individual trays. An optional second gas nozzle provides a gas flow curtain across the tray leading edge.

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Campobello, SC, United States of America

Randall E Johnson